Aoun: Rebuilding trust, fighting corruption cornerstones of state revival
5/29/2025 1:30:53 PM
President of the Republic Joseph Aoun reaffirmed his commitment to moving Lebanon forward, emphasizing that “the goal is not to look back, but to advance the foundational steps toward rebuilding the state.”
Speaking during a meeting at Baabda Palace with a delegation from the Egyptian-Lebanese Businessmen Friendship Association, Aoun underlined the importance of responsible communication: “We may not have achieved much compared to what is required, but what has been accomplished so far is essential to placing the country on the right track.”
Moreover, the President praised Egypt’s longstanding support for Lebanon “in the most critical political and economic crises, without interference in internal affairs,” describing this stance as one of solidarity, not manipulation.
The delegation, led by Chairman Fathallah Fawzy and Vice Chairman Fouad Habradj, expressed confidence in Lebanon’s ability to recover, pledging continued cooperation in trade and investment. Fawzy noted that “what binds Egypt and Lebanon goes beyond economic interests—it is a shared history and destiny.”
Aoun stressed that restoring trust between the state and both citizens and the international community remains a top priority. He reiterated his anti-corruption stance, declaring that “90% of my battle is focused on combating corruption,” asserting that “Lebanon is not bankrupt, it is stolen.”
The President also called for continued efforts to reform the judiciary and create the conditions for youth to remain in Lebanon and for expatriates to return.
Separately, President Aoun met with Telecommunications Minister Charles Haj to review the ministry’s agenda and future projects. He also received Starlink’s Global Licensing Director Sam Turner, who presented ongoing discussions to integrate Lebanon into Starlink’s network of 136 countries, aiming to enhance connectivity across sectors without competing with existing local providers.
Speaking during a meeting at Baabda Palace with a delegation from the Egyptian-Lebanese Businessmen Friendship Association, Aoun underlined the importance of responsible communication: “We may not have achieved much compared to what is required, but what has been accomplished so far is essential to placing the country on the right track.”
Moreover, the President praised Egypt’s longstanding support for Lebanon “in the most critical political and economic crises, without interference in internal affairs,” describing this stance as one of solidarity, not manipulation.
The delegation, led by Chairman Fathallah Fawzy and Vice Chairman Fouad Habradj, expressed confidence in Lebanon’s ability to recover, pledging continued cooperation in trade and investment. Fawzy noted that “what binds Egypt and Lebanon goes beyond economic interests—it is a shared history and destiny.”
Aoun stressed that restoring trust between the state and both citizens and the international community remains a top priority. He reiterated his anti-corruption stance, declaring that “90% of my battle is focused on combating corruption,” asserting that “Lebanon is not bankrupt, it is stolen.”
The President also called for continued efforts to reform the judiciary and create the conditions for youth to remain in Lebanon and for expatriates to return.
Separately, President Aoun met with Telecommunications Minister Charles Haj to review the ministry’s agenda and future projects. He also received Starlink’s Global Licensing Director Sam Turner, who presented ongoing discussions to integrate Lebanon into Starlink’s network of 136 countries, aiming to enhance connectivity across sectors without competing with existing local providers.